Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has come under criticism following his appeal to aggrieved aspirants of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to accept the outcome of the party’s recently concluded primaries and work towards party unity.
Obi made the appeal during the party’s second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, where he addressed concerns raised by aspirants and supporters dissatisfied with the conduct and outcome of the primaries.
Speaking at the meeting, Obi urged members to place the future of the party above present disagreements, stressing that democratic contests naturally produce winners and losers.
“I want to sincerely appeal to all our aspirants who participated in our primaries to accept the outcomes in good faith. In every democratic process, there will be winners and there will be others who did not succeed. What matters most is what we do after the process,” he said.
The former Anambra governor noted that the party had undergone congresses, conventions, and primary elections within roughly 90 days, describing the pace of activities as demanding for a relatively young political platform.
“We have done congresses, conventions and primaries all within about 90 days. Even established parties struggle with this. We must therefore show understanding, patience and sacrifice for the greater good of the party,” Obi stated.
He further appealed for tolerance and unity among members, urging them not to allow internal disagreements to overshadow long-term political goals.
“We should not be overly consumed by today’s internal processes. We must look ahead to tomorrow,” he added.
However, Obi’s comments have sparked criticism from some political observers and opponents, who argue that his appeal appears inconsistent with positions he previously took regarding electoral integrity and internal democracy.
Critics pointed to his post-2023 election stance and his past opposition to political processes he considered unfair, arguing that his latest remarks may contradict the principles many supporters associated with his political movement.
Supporters, however, insist the remarks were aimed at promoting reconciliation and preventing internal divisions within the party as preparations for future elections intensify.
The controversy has continued to generate debate within political circles as the party works to manage post-primary tensions and consolidate its internal structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
